This is an easy cocktail recipe for a delicious fall drink that you can spin up in 5-10 minutes. This is bound to be a huge hit at your next fall party, or as a sipper during College Football Saturdays.
The crisp fall air calls for heartwarming drinks, and what evokes the autumn spirit more than RICH CRANBERRIES (seriously, they’re a fall staple) combined with the cozy embrace of bourbon? If your love for whiskey-based concoctions knows no bounds, this Cranberry Bourbon Smash is about to be your new autumn obsession! It’s a delightful medley of tart and sweet, punctuated with the robustness of bourbon, making this cocktail the ultimate fall indulgence.
Why Cranberry Juice?
While fresh cranberries offer an authentic tartness, working with them can be a tad bit challenging and sometimes unpredictable. Opting for cranberry juice provides a convenient and consistent flavor profile. We did contemplate crafting this with muddled fresh cranberries, but the smoothness and ease of the juice won the day.
Cranberry Cocktail Tips and Tricks:
Simple syrup is, well, simple to make. So you should make your own. You can use this excellent recipe, or to craft simple syrup, blend equal parts water and granulated sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar vanishes, then let it cool off before incorporating it into your drink.
Fall Cocktail Variations:
For the whiskey enthusiasts out there who adore experimenting, check out these enticing variations:
- Maple Pecan Old Fashioned
- The Kitchen Magpie’s Cranberry Whiskey Sour
- The Cookie Rookie’s Pumpkin Spice White Russian
With a handful of ingredients and a spirit for the season, the Cranberry Bourbon Smash is yours to relish. It’s the ideal companion for fireside chats, Thanksgiving dinners, or any event where autumn’s charm is celebrated. This drink is popular for fall and winter occasions alike.
Follow our fall cocktail series here.
Cranberry Bourbon Smash
Equipment
- 1 Cocktail Shaker
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 2 oz cranberry juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- ½ oz lemon juice fresh
- fresh cranberries garnish and flavor
Instructions
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Pour in 2 oz of bourbon, 2 oz of cranberry juice, 1/2 oz of lemon juice, and 1/2 oz of simple syrup.
- Shake enthusiastically for about 15 seconds to blend the ingredients perfectly.
- Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary for that rustic touch.
- Serve immediately and bask in the rich flavors of fall.
